“So, what’d you bring me out here for, Yuri? You ready to go for another wrestling match?” Claude asked.

“Actually, I was thinking we’d chat for a bit, we haven’t really gotten a lot of free time recently, so we should make the most of it,” Yuri replied.

“Oh yeah, sure, what’s on your mind? Feel like playing matchmaker with me again? Between you and me…” Claude brought his voice to a whisper, “I think that Victoria and Cornelia look good together…”

“Still playing matchmaker, Captain?” Yuri scoffed, “I always tell you you should stop doing that sort of thing,”

“Yeah, but it’s fun, besides, I get to see everyone’s smile whenever it works out well, I’m a good judge of how well people will react to each other, you know,” Claude responded.

Yuri was silent for a moment, “On that topic…” Yuri steeled his nerves and took a deep breath before saying the impossible, “I'm not one to mince words, so I'll just be blunt and I'm not scared of rejection, so… Captain Claude Riesen of Lameanr Squad C, I, Warrant Officer First Class Yuri Astrovksa, am in love with you!”

Claude was taken aback and stared at Yuri, who stared back at him, maintaining eye contact the entire time.

Claude inhaled deeply and placed a hand on Yuri’s shoulder, “Look Yuri, I-” Claude was quickly silenced by Yuri.

“No, Captain, I don’t need a response, I already know what it’ll be,” Yuri said, “Just don’t say anything, please, let’s just- I just needed to get that off my chest, let’s get back to the others, alright?”

“Yeah… A-Alright Yuri, let’s go,”